Closing of tins, boxes, &amp;c.



No. 642,428. Pafnted Ian. 30, l900.-

E. cEvoLAm. CLOSING or TINS, BOXES, &c.

(Application filed July 2, 1898.| v

(No Model.)

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O 0 H 0., 3 n a I. d 8 t n 8 t a P. N A l a v E c CLO-SLNG 0F TINS, BOXES, 8L0;

(Application filed July 2, 1898.)

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Nrrnn STATES PATENT 10? Erica.

EDOARDO OEVOLANI, OF BOLOGNA, ITALY.

CLOSING OQF TINS, BOXES, 86C.-

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,428, dated anuary 30, 1900.

Application filedJ'uly 2,1898. Serial No. 684,997. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDOARDO OEvoLANI, a subject of the King of Italy, residing at B0- logna, Italy, have invented certain new and useful'Improvements Relating to the Closing of Tins, Boxes, or other Receptacles, (for which Letters Patent have been obtained in Italy, No. 90/458, dated January 13, 1898, and in France, No. 272,827, dated December 6, 1897,) of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to an improved device for closing receptacles without solder and for subsequently opening the same by means of a metallic wire, this device being mainly applicable for boxes and receptacles of tin, sheet-iron, or other material, insuring a perfect connection and admitting of being subjected to heat and pressure.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents the cover of the box as stamped-'- that is to say, withan upper edge and outer flange folded up. Fig. 2 represents the box, in the upper part of which the different moldings are to be provided in conformity with the drawings. Fig. 3 represents a top view of the cover. Fig. 4 illustrates the method of closing. Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 show further modifications.

After the cover has been constructed in conformity with the drawings by using an ordinary stamping or embossing tool I introduce by hand into the annular space formed a suitable wire (usually a tinned wire) bent in the form of a ring and having its extremities turned upward, these extremities being passed through one or two holes b b, Fig. 3, provided in the cover. Subsequently the two holes are closed by means of solder, so that one of the ends of the wire remains fixed to the cover and the other free to a sufficient length in order to admit of its being seized at the moment, as will be hereinafter explained.

For the purpose of closing the box the same is fitted with its cover, and the whole is forcibly passed into an exactly-gaged ring d (I, Fig. 4, by means of any appropriate lever device. In this operation the flange g of the cover becomes folded up under the bead f, projecting against the side of the box, thus preventing the same from being separated. Owing to this operation the cover and the body of the box become firmly connected, so as to be capable of resisting an interior pressure higher than ten atmospheres. The hermetic closure results from the pressure exerted by the conical surface Z l of the cover against the edge m of the box, Fig. 5, which pushes the edge itself outward, thus producing a complete adhesion at 0 0 between the sides of the cover and of the body of the receptacle. A second closure is, moreover, formed between the edge m and the wall 1, whereby the perfect closure is rendered still more reliable. In order to obtain a greater safety prior to the cover being put on the box, an elastic and bad-heat-conducting substance csuch as asbestos, cement, india-rubber, gum, or other similar material, as the case may be may be placed into the outer groove 0 of the box. This said substance after the final closing has been effected remains confined and compressed between the walls of the box and of the cover in the groove 0, and owing to the adhesion of these walls to the points 0 and m it can never arrive in contact with the contents of the box, thereby imparting to them a bad taste or bad odor.

In order to open the box, I seize, by means of pincers or of a pierced key or of any other appropriate tool, the end of the metallic wire, winding the same upon itself. The tin is thus out along the upper groove 72. h of the cover and a perfect opening is efiected without concussion and without the material be ing torn and with the least possible effort.

The advantages offered by the system which constitutes this invention are the following:

As regards the closing, (a) an efficient closing is elfected, resisting concussions and providing a secure and perfect closure, (1)) the cost and difiiculties connected with the soldering and all other operations are obviated, and (c) the contents of the receptacle are efficiently prevented from coming in contact with the material employed for obtaining a more reliable hermetic closure.

As regards the opening, (a) the smaller cost as compared with the face-closing and other similar systems, (1)) the simplicity and certainty in the perfect result of the operation, and (c) the absolute avoidance of any liquid that may be contained in the receptacle being spilled atthe moment of opening, owing to the fact that the opening operation takes place at the upper part of the cover instead of being effected sidewise of the receptacle. This system of opening is applicable to any other closing device.

Thus if a cover be in question which enters the box and is soldered at its edge, all that is necessary to do is to form at the cover a receding edge a, Figs. 7, 8, and 9, into which the metallic wire ring is inserted.

In the case of receptacles of large dimensions it will be still more preferable to turn the upper edge of the receptacle down the interior and to place the wire into the recessed portion, Fig. 10.

If the cover is to be united by claws gripping over the box, the metal wire occupies the inner receding edge of the cover, which generally is or may be stamped or embossed for this purpose. The same maybe said with regard to a soldered outer lid or cover, Fig. 12, or with regard to any other form it may receive. It goes without saying that this system of closing and opening is applicable to any other shape of receptacleoval, rectangular,and the likeand not only to those cylindrical forms represented in the drawings, and it is, moreover, evident that the peculiar arrangement as regards the molding of the cover, as well as the edgings of the box or other equivalents, may be varied.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of mysaid invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that What I claim is- A metallic receptacle provided with an outwardly-projecting bead f, and with an inwardly-projectingupper portion min combination with a cover or lid shaped to form a wire-receiving groove and having an inwardlyprojecting portion 1, and a locking edge at the lower end engaging with the bead f and a wire Within the groove of the cover, and a bad-heat-conductiug material arranged between the sides of the cover and receptacle above the bead f, all arranged for cooperation as and for the purposes specified.

GUIsEPPE FRANCIS, ALFONSO RIZZI'I). 

